Wayne let out soft sobs as Sheldon finally touched him and it was gentle stroking of his hair making him slide his own hands out of it and cup his lover’s hands in his own, against his hair and then down against his face, burying it into those smooth, blue palms and whining.
“Y-yes… Please, make sure she’s alright, please…” Wayne whispers brokenly, unable to believe Sheldon saying that he was making it out to be worse than it was.
It was already the worst!
Asking him not to do anything stupid? Fuck, what else could he do but sit here and panic?
“I hate myself, I hate myself so fucking much…” He whimpers while letting Sheldon go to let him check on Bluebell, curling up on himself again and crying quietly.
Chewing on his lower lip, Sheldon decided to reserve judgment on whether or not that level of hate was warranted until after he spoke with the girl. Letting his hand trail over Wayne’s shoulder as he left, Sheldon made his way over to the bathroom. Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he wrapped lightly on the door, one arm hugging himself.
“Do… you need help” he called softly, chewing on his lower lip as he shifted from one foot to the other, “Is it okay if I come in?”
—
Bell tightened her grip on her knees, glaring at the shower floor, “s’fine,” she grumbled with a shrug even if he couldn’t see. Her accent slipped back to street slang, “Yer house.”
—
Another deep breath and Sheldon opened the door. Her scent hit him hard, the heat of the shower only made it worse. Oh breathing didn’t help at all, but he closed the door behind himself and made his way over to the edge of the shower. He’d been winding down for the evening, in a silk robe, a tank top, and yoga pants. Taking the robe off, he hung it on a hook and sat down on the lip of the tub.
She looked miserable. Bruises and a bite mark standing out starkly on her skin. Stomach in knots, Sheldon reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder, squeezing lightly, “It’s going to be okay,” god, she looked just like how he’d felt that night. He’d cried in the shower too, “You’re not alone…”
—
Bell jerked at the touch, watering green eyes flashing up to meet eyes so much like hers. Chest heaving, she couldn’t hold back her sobs as she saw blue skin against hers. That comforting scent. Memories of childhood and those words… all she wanted was to be held.
—
Her small plaintive movements toward him had Sheldon reaching out towards her, drawing her into an embrace, foreheads pressed together. It was like reaching into the past; as if he could give his younger self exactly what he’d needed back then.
“Shhh, shhhh,” he murmured, rubbing circles on her back as she cried, “I’ve got you. It’s okay.”
RP backup 